Priory Palace

The Priory Palace in Gatchina, built in 1799 by architect N. A. Lvov, is the only surviving structure in Russia constructed mainly using rammed earth technology. The palace walls, fence, and adjacent buildings are made of layers of compacted loam poured with lime mortar, while the retaining wall is made of Pudost stone. From the side of the Black Lake, an illusion is created that the palace stands on an island, which emphasizes its original composition and rejection of symmetry. Located on the southeastern shore of the lake, the palace gave its name to the Priory Park, which was previously called the "Small Menagerie."